Standard Weights "imported" into Egypt 5,000 years ago Civilization created weight standards long before we learned to write. Archeologists have found at least three such standards in pre-Dynastic Egypt, probably brought into Egypt by prehistoric invaders. We know their age by their shape. The earliest were short cylinders or cones of stone, developing through cubes into carved ducks or animals. Shown above is a relatively "modern" standard, marked with the name of Mesopotamian high priest, Dudu, who lived about 2,400 B.C.
Bowl with a Hole Bowl with a Hole In desert areas, this ancient bowl with a hole in the bottom makes sure every farmer gets an equal amount of water for his crops. The local sits at the public fountain, blows a horn, floats the bowl on the water, waits patiently for the bowl to sink, and then blows the horn again. An irrigation ditch is turned "on" and "off" by means of small earthen dams when the horn sounds.
Though a far cry from today's accuracy, it's an ingenious milestone in our eternal quest for honest measure.
Ancient Weights and Measures To prevent "gypping" in ancient Pompeii, the magistrates built this set of standard measures right handy to the market place. Large bowls are for dry weights and have sliding panels for quick emptying. Smaller measures on both ends are for wines, oils and other liquids and are emptied by plugs. It's all solid stone and quite tamper-proof.
Though not as accurate as today's metering and testing techniques, it's a dramatic demonstration of our age-old respect for honest measure.
4,800 Year Old Quart When the ancient tomb of an Egyptian high official named Hesi-Re was uncovered, a beautiful series of metal and wood cylinders was found painted on the wall. Undoubtably, they were Hesi's official standard measures for liquids and grains. Since all objects in the tomb were drawn full scale, mathematicians could calculate their contents. Based on a measure of 28.8 cu. in., called a "hen" or "hon," the cylinders were in binary multiples, progressively doubling in size.
Though not as fast or accurate as modern weighing and metering methods, they're vivid proof of our eternal concern and respect for honest measure.
Ancient Traders "Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances and bag full of deceitful weights?" This Old Testament quotation points to the ancient custom of carrying one's own private weights in a bag. It wasn't prudent to trust the markings on the other person's weights, ornate and impressive though they may be. Also, an unwary trader could easily trip over the many different systems in use.
Today, we travel unburdened, with faith in inspectors' seals and scales and meters wherever we trade.
The King's Measure 700 years ago, King Henry III reached for a grain of wheat - one of the world's most ancient standards - to settle for once and for all an equally ancient problem:
"An English Penny, which is called Sterling, round without clipping, shall weigh 32 grains of wheat taken from the middle of the ear and dried. Twenty pence make an ounce, and 12 ounces make a pound, and 8 pounds make a gallon of wine."
Honest measure not only for the wine, but also for the coins used to buy it! A far cry from today's accurate weighing techniques, but it's a milestone in our age-old drive for full measure.
